By Cian O’Connell

In the 2023 inter-county football schedule a new and fresh challenge is never too far away.

Disappointed by the manner of the Munster SFC Final loss to Kerry, Clare are seeking to impress in the All-Ireland group stages.

The May 20 Cusack Park tussle against Donegal carries deep importance for the Banner with Keelan Sexton, so impressive again this year, eager to demonstrate Clare’s ability on the national stage.

“This has happened to us if you look back at the league - we got a bit of a trimming off Cork in the league, it went away from us, we ended up regrouping,” Sexton says.

“You have got to learn lessons, that is the main thing. If you learn from them it isn't too bad. We are going to take that away, review it, we will try to change things.

“We have Donegal on Saturday week in Ennis, it is the first game of the Sam Maguire group. This is where we wanted to be from the start of the season. We are there now.”

In recent years Clare have lost a number of key performers due to retirement, but Colm Collins still finds a way to regenerate and revitalise the team. Undoubtedly relegation from Division Two in the Allianz Football League hurt, but Clare still found a way to earn a provincial decider spot.

Such resilience continues to serve Clare. “Definitely, we did lose some big names, some Clare football stalwarts you could say,” Sexton replies.

“Colm would tell you as good as anyone that you are getting in some quality players too. You look at a couple of the Sigerson runs in recent years, how many Clare lads that were the backbone of teams.

“We seem to be getting quality players. Even below in Kerry two weeks or three weeks ago the U20s there were a few quality players.

“The main thing Colm does so very well and it is massive for us - he puts an environment in place for lads to come in, to achieve things that they are capable of achieving given the best possible environment to grow as a player and as an individual, which is massive.

“He puts a lot of emphasis on that. You could be sitting here for the day complimenting him, he definitely does that well. It is reaping rewards on a greater level for Clare in general. Hopefully it continues for a few more years to come.”

That an increasing number of Clare footballers are sampling action at a good level in the Sigerson Cup is important according to Sexton.

“I was lucky to be a part of a Sigerson team too we had Gavin White and some big names,” Sexton recalls. “When you are in an environment playing with those players you see what they are like. To be perfectly honest, at times, you think there are lads here that you are as good as them.

“In some aspects of the game you are better than them - other things they have, you need to work on. That is a massive thing for a player to understand, these lads have climbed the steps a few times, this is what they are doing and doing well.

"It is a massive thing for the younger Clare lads to be getting involved with that - to understand that you have every quality they have in some aspects of the game.

“You have to then work on one or two things even though you're better in some aspects. That is all part and parcel of it.

“Ultimately you have to understand it is still a bit away, that you have a bit of work to do. That is the main thing, we are building towards the future which is a big thing.”

Three revealing fixtures against Ulster opposition are now on the agenda with Sexton hopeful Clare can summon a defiant response following the Kerry setback. “They definitely showed why they are All-Ireland champions and probably one of the heavy favourites to win it this year again,” he says.

“We are disappointed that we didn't perform like how we wanted to. We obviously know there is a lot more in the tank, but we didn't produce it that day. The good thing about the season is that we have a few more games coming up where you are going to get a chance to right that wrong.”